Sabah - Kota Kinabalu

[Dirko]

So the SJABC clan has booked flights to head over there early next year.

Any thoughts on accommodation (3 young kids), and what to see / do ?

Cheers !

[Jimmy]

Missus wants to do her 30th there next year, will be interested to hear about it. Have fun.

[Wedgie]

Yeah I'd be interested too, had never heard of the place but looked it up as a result of his thread and it looks good!

[Dirko]

So am probably thinking the Rasa Ria...

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort

[Dirko]

OK the Rasa Ria has got the arse, am staying at it's sister the Tanjung Aru.

The Rasa Ria is a good 30 minutes out of town and that sucks dogs balls as the Aru is only a short walk/shuttle.

I love being able to get some Satays off the street and shop for cheep beer etc etc.

Here's the link, and a couple of pics....

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/kotakinabalu/tanjungaruresort

[Sturtman]

http://www.magellansutera-kotakinabalu. ... 4godG3Xguw

Stayed here about 5 years ago. Can walk into centre of town, prob 30-40min or a 5 min cab ride. Resort has a fully flood lit golf course, ferry to a few small islands just off the coast leaves from the marina where you can go snorkelling etc. Great place to stay. Also had a bowling alley, good for kids

[TroyGFC]

Awesome place, I treked there back in 2006. Amazing!!! Still not very tourist from what I saw but was getting better.

[Wedgie]

I'm looking forward to more reviews from this place as its a place I'm seriously considering going for the next big family trip.

[Jim05]

I'm looking forward to more reviews from this place as its a place I'm seriously considering going for the next big family trip.

Looks great, have always wanted to visit, have heard awesome reviews.
Had the opportunity earlier in year when we were in KL Air Asia had flights for $45 return but we already had a week in Langkawi booked.
Langkawi was awesome but definately want to get to KK next time we go to KL

[Wedgie]

Isn't there some dodgy areas nearby or is that somewhere else on Borneo I'm thinking of?

[Dirko]

Isn't there some dodgy areas nearby or is that somewhere else on Borneo I'm thinking of?

Brunei & the dodgy bloody Sultan and his gold toilets on his private jet....



Actually there have been reports of pirate / kidnap activity in the Philippine waters in the Sulu Sea, but that's around the other side off Sandakan, which we aren't going too....

[Psyber]

Isn't there some dodgy areas nearby or is that somewhere else on Borneo I'm thinking of?

... Actually there have been reports of pirate / kidnap activity in the Philippine waters in the Sulu Sea, but that's around the other side off Sandakan, which we aren't going too....

Yes that has always been the case.
After a stay at the Shangri-la in Kota Kinabalu some years ago my group flew to Sandakan then boarded boats to go to Selingaan Island: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Isl ... alaysia%29
We travelled in two speed boats with large twin outboards and the crew were armed - as were the Rangers on the island.

[Johno6]

that looks pretty bloody amazing SJ...

also i thought u were in ya late teens early 20's...

[Dirko]

that looks pretty bloody amazing SJ...

also i thought u were in ya late teens early 20's...

I am....started having kids when I was 12.....

[Dirko]

Got back on Sunday.

Resort was first class...

Awesome place. Different to Phuket / Bali holidays for those who like that. No people hassling you when you're out on the streets, which is nice.

Food was awesome. Massive Seafood eating place.

Countryside was breath taking. Mount Kinabalu is fantastic. Orang-utans sensational....

Will write a in depth review later.

[Wedgie]

I look forward to it, definately interested in going there.

[Dirko]

Kota Kinabalu.

Flew Malaysia Airlines into KKIA and was very impressed by KK Airport, clean & modern. You need a valid passport to travel to Malaysia Borneo, so make sure you don't leave it in Kuala Lumpur if you have a stop over.

We stayed at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru Resort. The rooms were a little bit on the tiny side, but clean and well equipped. Free wi-fi, balcony with great views and every little bit of luxury you could want. The resort itself was first class, fantastic pool area, food and service was excellent, as were the recreational things...

There isn't really a beach at this place if that's what your looking for.

The resort was about a 10 minute drive to the city, unfortunately there wasn't anywhere you could really walk too re getting a feed, unless you were happy with a 20/30 minute stroll down the road.

Didn't really affect us as the cabs are cheap and plentiful (20RM one way = $6.50). There are mega amounts of excellent eating in the city, from market stalls to upper class restaurants. Seafood is the go, and there are several good seafood eateries around. For a cheaper feed, head away from the wharf and into the hawker food courts of the shopping centres, or local open air eateries. We had a variable lot of dining, some upper class, some local, and a trip to the Pizza Hut (bloody good pizzas too). We could feed the whole family including drinks for between 50RM - 80 Rm ($15 - $25) at the cheaper places.

Be warned, alcohol, whilst beer is a little cheaper then here, wine & spirits are expensive. The Malaysian Government tax it highly, so unlike Thailand, if you want to piss on, it can add up.

The city centre is excellent. Plenty to see and do, and good shopping. Markets can be found along the wharf and in the centre of town, and unlike Phuket or Kuta, you walk around them without being "touted". Quite a nice way to shop! They haven't quite cottoned on to the fake brands like you get in Thailand / Bali etc, but this IMO is a good thing. We where there when the sales were on, and they had 50 - 70% off most things. Bought a pair of Nike Pegasus for $25. Heaps of good quality T-shirts for around $8 - $10 a pop.

The markets on the wharfs are brimming with pearls. Very cheap. You barter, and can pick up some good bargains.

As for things to do. Mount Kinabalu is well worth a day or three. If we didn't have young kids I would've stayed on the Mountain, and hiked it.

Poring Hot Springs, including the Canopy Walk, Kundasang War Memorial is worth checking out too.

Borneo Rail run a half day Steam Train Trip which was good fun.

Do some white river rafting, or check out the Proboscis Monkeys and Fire Flys by doing a River trip.

A few decent Islands off the coast of KK, easily accessible by boat. Usual Jet Ski, Para-sail things available, as are dive site or snorkelling.

Check out the Orang-utans. This is a long day trip to Sandakan, or do as we did and go to the Shangri La Rasa Ria where they have a sanctuary too.

Sandakan is well worth checking out for the above plus access to Turtle Island and other dive sites. However it's a long drive / short flight to get there and you'd need a couple of days to do stuff.

Overall I recommend KK, great place for a trip, but don't expect a "Phuket" style holiday as it's quite different....

[whufc]

Without starting another thread im looking at heading to Malayasia by end of year.

Will be looking at going for around 7 days spending a few days in KL and the rest in Penang (where my wife was born and grew up).

Any tips, advice, flight specials etc etc.

Cant wait to get to some Hawkers Corners and smash some satay!!!

[Jim05]

Without starting another thread im looking at heading to Malayasia by end of year.

Will be looking at going for around 7 days spending a few days in KL and the rest in Penang (where my wife was born and grew up).

Any tips, advice, flight specials etc etc.

Cant wait to get to some Hawkers Corners and smash some satay!!!

KL is awesome, when we go there we stay at the Traders Hotel, situated right across from the Patronas Tower. They often have awesome specials and will quite often upgrade you free of charge. Depends on how much you want to spend but the Traders rooms have awesome views out of your bedroom of the twin towers plus they throw in free breakfast and afternoon snacks plus free booze at their private lounge. Use AirAsia for your flights to Penang, costs around $50 return and have never had an issue with them.

[fathersonsfl]

Without starting another thread im looking at heading to Malayasia by end of year.

Will be looking at going for around 7 days spending a few days in KL and the rest in Penang (where my wife was born and grew up).

Any tips, advice, flight specials etc etc.

Cant wait to get to some Hawkers Corners and smash some satay!!!

I have lived in Penang the last 3 months and will be here for the next 3 years. Not sure where you are staying, but I live on Gurney Drive, Georgetown and my two favourite Hawker Places are Song River and Northam Beach Cafe....food and beer is great and really cheap.